Highgate fifth grader wins Vermont’s first Kid Governor election
November 24, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Highgate Elementary School fifth grader Roslyn Fortin (seated on the floor, second from left) and her classmates hear the Kid Governor election results announced by the Secretary of State. Screenshot
More than 1,000 fifth graders around the state cast ballots and Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced the winner last week in the election for Vermont’s first Kid Governor.
Highgate Elementary School fifth grader Roslyn Fortin received the most votes out of seven candidates vying for the new honor, according to the announcement.
Roslyn ran on a platform to tackle homelessness with a three-part plan that she suggests can be implemented across Vermont in the next year, and that kids can participate in. It calls for:
Starting clothing and food drives using donation bins at schools.
Planning Fun Run for Hope events to walk, jog, or run to raise money for shelters.
Organizing community potlucks, inviting people experiencing homelessness to attend.
As Roslyn explained in her campaign video, “This plan isn’t just about giving things it’s about giving kindness, giving time and giving hope.”
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Kid Governor candidate Roslyn Fortin share a high-five at a visit to Highgate Elementary School this fall. Photo courtesy of the Vt. Secretary of State's office
During Roslyn’s one-year term, she will work with the Secretary of State’s office to advance her platform. More details and resources will be posted on the Vermont Kid Governor website.
Copeland Hanzas’ office launched the Kid Governor project in Vermont earlier this year. Founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center in 2015, the program has earned support from educators and elected officials as it’s spread to other states. Vermont joins Nebraska, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Oklahoma in selecting a Kid Governor this year.
The free program engages students in fifth grade to learn about state government, voting, and the power of civic participation by using their skills in critical thinking, research, public speaking, and persuasion.
This fall, 47 Vermont schools participated in the program. (Waterbury Roundabout inquired but found that none of the fifth-grade classes in the Harwood school district participated.)
Students interested in running for the office of Kid Governor created platforms and recorded video messages. Some schools held primary elections to choose their nominee for the statewide ballot, others may not have nominated a candidate, but opted to take part as a voting school only.
The Secretary of State’s office received nominations for 26 candidates. A panel was convened to review their submissions, resulting in the seven finalists being chosen for the statewide ballot.
Copeland Hanzas visited the seven schools to meet each of the finalists ahead of the election. Students in fifth-grade classes around the state then cast their votes earlier this month in connection with Election Day. The results were tallied and released this week.
“I would like to congratulate each of our incredible Kid Governor candidates, who identified very important issues facing Vermont and developed meaningful platforms to tackle these issues – from ways to care for ourselves to ways to care for the world around us,” Copeland Hanzas said. “I was particularly moved by how the candidates’ classmates supported them and cheered them on. And of course, candidates can only be elected if we all vote, so I thank all the fifth graders across Vermont who participated in this groundbreaking election. I’m so excited to work with Roslyn and her cabinet!”
Candidate Roslyn Fortin (seated) appears with supporters in a campaign video. Screenshot
The program involves having the other finalists in the contest serve over the next year as cabinet members for the Kid Governor. Those students are Karin Ashley from Barnet School, Phoebe Bingham from Red Fox Community School in Manchester, Westyn Danforth at Bradford Elementary, Rumano Hassan at Champlain Elementary in Burlington, Gaelen McNaughton at Weathersfield School, and Lincoln Ratta from Lincoln Community School.
The other finalists’ platforms focused on issues including bullying, mental health support for children, and improving school lunches.
All of the students will take their oaths of office at a ceremony in January at the State House in Montpelier.
There was much excitement at Rosyln’s school and in her school district this week when the election result was announced. Highgate Elementary Principal Justina Jennett said the school was very proud and honored by Roslyn’s election.
“The Kid Governor program reminds us that when educators are given the opportunity to bring their lessons beyond the classroom and into the heart of their community, everyone benefits,” Jennett said, thanking the Secretary of State’s office for initiating the civic engagement project.
Jennett also remarked on the classroom teachers across the state who had their students participate. At Highgate Elementary, teacher Courtney Kiser oversaw the exercise. “Our fifth graders across Vermont are shining a light on the issues we know we must confront together, and we can’t wait to see what their leadership brings. Highgate is here to support Roslyn every step of the way!" Jennett said.
Missisquoi Valley School District Superintendent Julie Regimbal commented on how the program spotlights student ideas and voices. “We are incredibly proud of her for running a thoughtful campaign that highlights her deep empathy for those in need and the vital importance of elevating student voice,” Regimbal said of Roslyn.
Kid Governor candidate Roslyn Fortin’s campaign video
The Kid Governor program has several social media channels. Follow @VTKidGovernor on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
See this story by UVM’s Community News Service about the primary election that fifth graders held at the St. Johnsbury School on Oct. 16.